Election Commission of India : proposed electoral reforms

14. To enhance the quality of democracy in India, the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (250 words)         15M

Ans. Many electoral reforms have taken place till now like mandatory filling of criminal cases in the nomination papers, enforcement of model Code of Conduct, NOTA (None of the Above) VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) etc.

(i)     Ban on paid news, it should come under representation of people's act.

(ii)   Ban on exit and opinion polls.

(iii) Cap on expenditure by political party on a candidate for election campaign.

(iv) Ceiling of campaign expenditure by political parties, limit the number of star

campaigners.

(v)   To bring political parties under RTI.

(vi) Ban on government sponsored advertisement before elections.

(vii)  Appointment of additional judges in the High Courts for hearing election petitions.

(viii)                        Ban on hate speeches, they should be enforceable through model code of conduct.

(ix) To give equal powers to the other Election Commission.

(x)   Expenditure of the Election Commission to be charged.

As free and fair elections are the fundamentals for the effective functioning of any democracy and India also demands the same, these proposed reforms can go a long away in revamping the election process in India in the following ways.

(i)        Ban on paid news will prevent the wrong influence of voters, along with it can help in reducing influence of crony capitalism in the country.

(ii)      Cap on expenditure can reduce the play of money and muscle power in the elections, this may allow the less privileged sections to participate in elections.

(iii)    Appointment of additional judges will fasten the process of resolution of elections petitions cases, this will deter the culprits and justice will be delivered in a fast

manner.

(iv) Ban on government sponsored advertisement before elections will prevent the incumbent government to use public funds for campaigning and ban on hate speeches and broadening of the model code of conduct will strengthen the role of election commission in ensuring free and fair elections.

All these measures if implemented in letter and spirit, then election process in India will get reformed.